MS Finance (MSF) Admissions

To be in the program the applicant must have earned the equivalent of a 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree with a competitive GPA. Applicants in the process of finishing an undergraduate degree may apply, with acceptance contingent on finishing the undergraduate degree and ability to be physically present at the start of the program. Please see here for degree requirements by country.

Complete the online application and upload all required documents here. International applicants should also consult the instructions for international students published in the USC Graduate Admissions website. When applying, we recommend using a personal email address that you will maintain access to for the foreseeable future rather than university or temporary accounts that you may lose access to. The program office is only able to communicate admissions decisions to the email address used at time of application.

Nonrefundable application fee: $155

USC students/staff/alumni, US military veterans, and select other groups qualify for an application fee waiver. For Fee Waiver Categories and instructions on how to apply for a waiver, click here.

Transcript requirements are set forth by the Office of Graduate Admission. Please view their website for details.

Transcript submission is a two-step process:
1.You must upload scanned copies of official transcripts from all institutions attended to the online application. These must be official transcripts printed on university letterhead. Print-outs from online student portals are not acceptable.
2. After you submit your application and receive your 10-digit USC ID number, you must submit the official transcripts by mail, courier, or electronic services from all colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions you have previously attended.

Official transcript:
A transcript is considered official when it is received in the sealed envelope provided by the school, or when it is electronically transmitted (not emailed) from the institution. Even if it is mailed by the applicant, it can be considered official as long as the envelope has not been opened.

Cover sheet:
We recommend that you fill out the “College/University Transcript Cover Page” and send it to the registrar’s office of each post-secondary institution you have attended. Although it is not mandatory, including it along with your USC ID number will help match your transcripts to your file as quickly as possible.

E-transcripts:
USC accepts official electronic transcripts from all countries, provided that the transcript originates from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution. Please instruct the vendor to email the transcript to etrans@usc.edu. Do not send any other materials or correspondence to this email. Electronic transcripts e-mailed to any other address will not be downloaded, delaying review of your file and adding an extra expense because the transcript will need to be re-sent.

Transcripts in original language of issuance:
International students who have earned their degree outside the United States must check the country-specific requirements to determine if original-language copies of their academic records are needed. In such cases, a separate, word-for-word, English-language translation of all academic records must also be submitted. The translation should either be issued directly from the school itself or by a professional, certified translator. It must contain all information shown on the original-language documents and “mirror” them as precisely as possible. Dual-language transcripts are also acceptable.

USC alumni or current students:
USC degree holders do not need to submit USC transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admission. Please be sure to include your USC enrollment in the “Academic Background” section so that we may match your application to the academic records already on file.

Credential evaluation:
Please note that USC does not accept or recognize credential evaluation reports from outside agencies (e.g. WES, ECE, etc.) for the purposes of admission review.

Mailing Instructions
If sending your transcripts via regular mail, please use the following address:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

If sending your transcripts via courier service, such as DHL or FedEx, please use the following address:
University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission and Financial Aid
3601 South Flower Street, Tyler 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915
Phone: (213) 740-1111

Admission to USC is based on merit rather than ability to pay. The U.S. government, however, requires that all international applicants provide proof of adequate financial support for the first year of study and passport copies for you and any applicable dependents before a formal letter of admission and an I-20 (or DS-2019) can be issued.

It is not necessary to submit financial documents or a copy of a valid passport for your application to be reviewed or for an admission decision to be rendered.

However, during application ‘busy season’ from February to May, students should be aware that processing time for these documents can take up to 8 weeks. For this reason, we strongly suggest you submit financial receipt of the I-20 document for admitted and certified students.

Please read carefully through USC Graduate Admission Guidelines for Financial Documentation, particularly the Financial Statement Expense Figures as well as the detailed guidelines for submitting proof of financial support.

The MS in Finance program boasts a large enrollment of international students. We’ve developed the below to help answer some frequently asked questions.

Admissions & Eligibility
Who is considered an international applicant?
All applicants that are not United States nationals, and will be entering, or have already entered, the United States with an F-1 or J-1 student visa, should apply as an international student. Applicants who already reside in the United States and hold other non-immigrant visas (for example, E2, H2 or L2) are also considered international applicants. Permanent residents of the United States, naturalized U.S. citizens, and U.S. citizens residing abroad and attending a university outside the United States are not considered international students.

*For more information see HERE.

When is the application deadline for international students?
The final deadline for international students may be a bit earlier than for U.S. citizens. This is to ensure time for visa processing. Review the Dates and Deadlines above for all updated deadlines.

What is the language requirement?
Review the Test Scores section for complete information.

How do I know if I am exempt from language testing?
International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement only under the circumstances outlined under “English-Language Test Waiver” HERE.

What are the minimum scores for the TOEFL and IELTS?
Review the Test Scores section for complete information.

I have a 3-year Bachelor's degree, can I apply?
Country specific requirements are listed HERE.

The Admission Committee may identify a student who has compensating strengths that go beyond the average applicant. If an applicant is reviewed favorably by the Admissions Committee but does not meet the degree equivalency requirement a petition may be considered in their case.

The only way such compensating strengths can be determined is during the admissions cycle when a complete application can be reviewed in full and in comparison to the pool of applicants of the corresponding cycle.

We cannot pre-evaluate candidates because the MSF Admissions Committee takes a holistic approach when evaluating all of our applicants, where all variables are taken into consideration.

What are the transcript requirements for International Institutions?
Students who have earned their degree outside the United States must check the COUNTRY-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS to determine if original-language copies of their academic records are needed. Please also review the Transcript section and be sure to submit all required documents as part of your initial application via the online portal. Transcripts regularly take up to 8 weeks to process. Requests for transcripts missing from the original application submitted can add significant processing time.

Does USC accept WES evaluated transcripts?
USC does NOT accept WES evaluated transcripts. If admitted, you will be required to submit your bachelor’s degree information to IERF for degree verification. Detailed information is available at WWW.IERF.ORG/USC.

What is the required International Degree Verification process?
Students who choose to attend USC should be aware that the USC Office of Degree Progress requires verification of international bachelor’s degrees from the International Education Research Foundation (IERF).

Students complete this process after admission to the program.

Detailed information about IERF services, including application forms, fees, and required documents are available at WWW.IERF.ORG/USC.

Please contact Degree Progress DPROGSS@USC.EDU, 213.740.7070 if you have any questions, or need more information regarding prior degree verification.

Does USC provide answers to other Frequent Asked Questions about admissions for an International Student?
The GRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE WEBSITE is an amazing resource for international applicants and students to help address frequently asked questions and concerns. Visit their FAQ page for international students!

What is USC’s Office of International Services (OIS)?
USC's OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL SERVICES (OIS) is the primary resource for USC's international students. This office has the most updated information regarding visas, events specifically for international students, and employment. They also have great information on pre-arrival, arrival, and life in Los Angeles! All new students should sign up for their NEWSLETTER.

Financing Your Degree

For financial documentation, how much money do I need to have?
The cost of attendance at USC changes from year to year. The amount required for financial documentation is the estimated cost of living and studying in Los Angeles for one year, not the cost of tuition for the entire program.

Please carefully review the International Students only: Financial documentation and Passport section for details.

What if I need help paying for school? Are there scholarships?
The USC Marshall School of Business offers a limited number of partial tuition scholarships for students. These awards are highly competitive and are determined at the time of admission.

U.S. citizens and international students are eligible. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration. Please review our Program Cost and Scholarship section for more details.

Many of our students pay for their degrees using savings or loans. For more information on financial aid that is specific to international students, please see USC's Financial Aid Website.

Tuition

The MSF program is a 36-unit program of Business Graduate (500 level and above) Coursework.

Tuition is calculated per unit based on the unit price of the given academic year. Tuition is subject to increase each academic year. For detailed information on tuition and mandatory fees please VISIT HERE. Please keep in mind this information relates only to the listed academic year.

In addition, we ask students to budget for approximately $3000 in additional university and program fees. Students are also responsible for housing, food, transportation, and student health insurance costs.

Admitted Students Deposit

A nonrefundable $2,000 deposit secures the student's space in the class. Once enrolled, the $2000 deposit will be credited as payment to your tuition and fees. Please note, once you have paid your deposit, you will not be granted a refund. Payment of your deposit secures your seat in the program and is non-refundable.

Student Financial Services

All tuition and fee payments are processed through STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES. For more information on billing cycles, methods of payment, and more, please visit their website or contact their department directly.

International Students Financial Statement

Review the International Students Only: Financial documentation and passport section for complete information.

Scholarships

MSF program offers a limited amount of scholarships to admitted students. U.S. citizens and international students are eligible. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for priority scholarship consideration.

Financial Aid

Please visit USC Financial Aid (https://financialaid.usc.edu/) and click on “Graduates & Professionals” You will find information on U.S. citizens and international students.

On-campus Employment

Students may seek on-campus employment opportunities once they begin the program.

Teaching and Research Assistantships

MSF program itself does not offer research or teaching assistantships, however, students are welcome to seek one out on their own once the program has started.

GMAT/GRE

All applicants, regardless of academic history and work experience, must submit a valid GMAT or GRE score. We are now accepting GMAT Focus in addition to the traditional GMAT score.

Official scores must be received before the deadline and sent directly to USC by the testing service in order to be reviewed.

Submitting Scores: Upload electronic copies of your GMAT or GRE scores with your application in addition to sending official scores to USC Marshall through the testing service (GMAC or ETS).

Code:

• GRE: 4852 (No department code is required).
  
• GMAT: 389-9C-23
  

Your scores are considered valid only if earned within five years to the month of your intended first term at USC.

English-Language proficiency –TOEFL/IELTS (International Students)
International graduate applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency by submitting TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores.

Minimum Requirement:
TOEFL: Total 100; each band 20
IELTS: Overall 7; each band 6
Exceptions: International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement only under the circumstances outlined here.

Submitting Scores:
To avoid delays in the processing of your application, please have your TOEFL or IELTS scores sent to USC Marshall when you pre-register for the examination. Upload electronic copies of your TOEFL or IELTS scores with your application in addition to sending official scores to USC Marshall through the testing service. Official scores must be received directly from the testing service and dated no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the month in which you submit your application to USC. Do not enter the name and contact information of your specific intended graduate department.

Code:
TOEFL: 4852 (no department code is required)
IELTS: choose “University of Southern California, Graduate Programs” from the list of available institutions on the day you sit for the exam

In lieu of a general personal statement, the MSF application requires two essays. Please submit your answers to the following essay prompts through the “Questions” section of the online application.

1. Describe your career aspirations. What roles, companies, industries, and regions do you see yourself working in and how do you see Marshall's MSF program helping you achieve your goals? (300 words maximum).

2.Tell us about who you are outside of your academic accomplishments. What are you passionate about? (300words maximum.)

Optional Essay: Is there something that you would like for the Admissions Committee to know about you that has not already been mentioned. (Optional; 250 words maximum).

You may be invited to complete an online video assessment as part of your application to the USC Master of Science in Finance program. This step of the application process is by invitation only. If you are invited to submit a Kira assessment, please treat this as your formal interview.

Requests for Kira assessments will not be considered. This part of the application is by invitation only.

Letters of recommendation are neither required nor accepted. Please do not submit such letters at any point during the admissions cycle.

MSF Online Information Sessions

Join us for an online presentation of USC Marshall's Master of Science in Finance program. Learn details on program components, hear the ins-and-outs of the application process and have the opportunity to meet program representatives and current students.

Please note that for your convenience we have scheduled our info sessions to follow the USC Office of Graduate Admission Spotlight: USC events.

At Spotlight: USC you can learn how to successfully complete USC’s online Graduate Application, avoid common mistakes (and possible delays) and have the opportunity to ask general application and admission process related questions and get answers from a representative of the USC Office of Graduate Admission. You can register for Spotlight: USC. You will receive a registration confirmation email from USC Office of Graduate Admissions immediately after reserving your spot. This email will include the Zoom link where you will access the Spotlight session.

You may register HERE for the MSF information session which will follow the USC Office of Graduate Admission Spotlight session.

MSF information sessions will be scheduled to be aligned with the USC Graduate Admissions Spotlight sessions. Dates will be announced shortly.

Is the MS in Finance STEM-eligible? 

Yes. Graduates of the MS in Finance program are eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT Extension.

• Applicants may apply only once they have completed at least 64 total units of undergraduate course work, excluding AP, IB, or transfer units earned prior to graduation from high school.
• Applicants may apply in their junior (recommended) or senior year but no later than the semester prior to beginning graduate course work.
• Applicants do not need to submit GRE, GMAT, or other graduate entrance exam scores, but should have at least a 3.0 cumulative USC GPA at the time of application.
• Non-Marshall majors must have a final grade in BUAD 306: Business Finance or BUAD 308: Advanced Business Finance before submitting an application. Note: If you are a Senior graduating in May 2024, this requirement is not applicable for the Fall 2024 application cycle. For all future application cycles (Fall 2025 and later), all applicants must meet this admission requirement.
  

Visit the USC Progressive Degree Program Website for USC requirements, student classification and Financial Aid.

If you meet the qualifications mentioned above, you may apply to the MSF Progressive Degree Program for the upcoming Fall term.

A completed application includes:

· Application Form + Proposed Course Plan (No department signatures required for initial application) USC Progressive Degree Program application

· Most up to date STARS report

· Essay: no more than 500 words describing why you would like to pursue an MS in Finance PDP and your career aspirations.

· CV or Resume

· Letter of Recommendation (LOR): at least 1 letter (must be from USC Faculty); Two letter are preferred (second letter can be non-academic). LOR should be emailed by the recommender directly to the MSF Program Office: ms.fin@marshall.usc.edu

The Admissions Committee will review all applicants and interview invitations will be sent out for all qualifying applicants. During the interview your course plan will be reviewed, and final edits will be suggested.

Final decisions are released approximately 4-6 weeks after each application deadline. If you are recommended by the MSF committee for admission you will receive an email with next steps to accept and finalize your admission. The Progressive Degree Coordinator, Stephanie German, will work with you to finalize your course plan and update your record.

                                                                       Application Opens               Application Closes

Spring Application                                            December 15th                    February 1st

Summer Application                                         May 15th                             June 15th

*Minimum required units must be completed before application submission. In progress units will not be considered for total unit count.

*Seniors must apply before they complete their final undergraduate term.

Please do your best to complete the USC Progressive Degree Program application, use the instruction below to fill out the first draft of your course plan:

• Fill out the course plan starting with your intended first semester (MSF is a fall start only program)
• Enter all MSF proposed electives as “Graduate Elective Course”. Do not enter the course title.
• If you qualify to waive out of a course, do not list it in your course plan.
• Do NOT get any department signatures on the form since this is a first draft.
• Enter all undergraduate courses you intend to take. For Marshall students please indicate your MUDE courses by adding (MUDE) after the course title.
• Feel free to add more lines to the semesters if there’s no room.

For your reference, please note the intended terms for all MSF core classes.

FALL TERM (PREFERABLY 1ST TERM)
GSBA 510: Accounting Concepts & Financial Reporting
GSBA 511: Microeconomics for Management
FBE 506: Quantitative Methods in Finance

FIRST FALL TERM
GSBA 542: Communication for Management
GSBA 548: Corporate Finance

FALL TERM (NOT FIRST TERM)
FBE 531: Corporate Financial Policy & Corporate Governance

FIRST SPRING TERM
FBE 529: Financial Analysis & Valuation

SPRING TERM
FBE 555: Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management